# NTSB LAX92LA366: Cessna 150G, N3015S, Fresno, CA, August 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1992, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.640174, -119.90979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6402&lon=-119.9098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA366

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - residential area
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ON DOWNWIND HE ENDED UP CLOSE TO ANOTHER AIRCRAFT AND HE EXTENDED HIS PATTERN TO IMPROVE THE SEPARATION. THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON FINAL APPROACH AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO TREES AND A HOUSE. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT, AND, AFTER REMOVAL FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE TO THE AIRPORT, SUPERVISED A TEST RUN OF THE ENGINE. USING THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND EXERCISED THROUGHOUT ITS NORMAL POWER RANGE FROM IDLE TO FULL POWER, WITH MAGNETO AND CARBURETOR HEAT CHECKS WITHIN LIMITS. THE AVIATION SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTING A TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT OF 75 AND 56 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY. REVIEW OF A CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALS THAT THE REPORTED TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT FALLS WITHIN AN AREA OF THE CHART DEFINED AS 'SERIOUS ICING GLIDE POWER OR MODERATE ICING CRUISE POWER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3015S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3015S-1998-01-10), registration cancelled 1998-01-10, S/N 15066915 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066915
- Airframe hours: 6047
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Applied Aero
- Registered owner: Applied Detector
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1992, 99 hours before
- Airport: FCH, Fresno Chandler, runway 3, 3,202 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 8 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920827033159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920827033159A), Aug 27, 1992: Cessna 150G, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on final. Struck trees and residence. Engine checked normal. Carburetor icing conditions existed.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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